In 4 months it will be a year Whoa

1. How does your Mission Pres. feel about emailing your cousins that are missionaries?
1. Well The first time I talked to him he said I should only e-mail my direct family. That is why I usually respond to others in the e-mails I send to you.
2. So what drinks do they say you can or can not drink there in South Africa? Is Coke still what they recommend in some areas?
2. Well if you are referring to the Word of Wisdom then they say you can drink Rooibos Tea in place of regular (black)tea. I actually don't drink a lot of Soda unless members give it to us. There are a lot of different soda's here or, Cool Drink, as they call it. They have this stuff called Ginger Beer(non-alcoholic) and it's made with ginger so it tickles (burns) the back of your throat when you drink it.
3. How is your new companion adjusting to you and the new beat that you have?
3.I don't know? we seem to be getting along well right now but we've only been together a week today. He's actually really cool and kind goofy himself so I think things will go great.
4. What is it like to be the companion of a district leader?
4.Well it's not too much different other than you go on exchanges a lot because he is supposed to so he can see how everyone is doing. Which means, because the AP's (Assistants to the Mission President) are in our district. I have to go out with them and that is kinda weird and a little intimidating, but I always learn a lot when I go with them.
5. Tell us one faith building experience that you have had this week?
5.Well there is an awesome family that we are teaching called the Diseko Family and I realized the other day how much I really loved them because I became so frustrated when they said that they still aren't ready, when I know that they've been answered. Most of them come to church every Sunday and their family has been strengthened so much since we've been there. They even said that themselves. I decided to bare my testimony and when I did I got all emotional when I started talking about them. I love the work here and I'm still trying to learn to love the people, but I think I'm getting it.
6. Are there ever monkeys loose in the city limits?
6.Nope... Well actually there was an experience in my last district where there was a monkey in a tree, but it had gotten away from a zoo or something. Other then that you have to go to Botswana or something.
9. Any one who needs our family to pray for them?
9.Yes the Deseko Family! and pray that we can find Father Led Families
10. What one thing do you like most that is different from Ridgeway in the Dobsenville area?
10.The Productivity. Dobsenville is leading the zone right now in year to date baptisms and Ridgway just got merged/closed with another area.
11.What do you mean that they have to go to church so many times depending on their age before they are baptized?
11.Well if you don't have family support you have to come to church for at least three months if your under 18 and for six if your under 16.

It's crazy to hear of all the things going on back home. J driving and stuff. crazy!! Well this week has been nice because I've had a companion. The work is going well but we are struggling to get responsible Male adults in our teaching pool. We've just started to put into effect a Plan called u-nite which makes it possible for us to teach people in mass groups with members for support. We're hoping it will work well so keep it in your prayers as well. I love the work but I've been getting kind of discouraged at times. When it feels like we are struggling to get fathers but I know we are doing a good job. We currently have 10 people who are on date for baptism and we are teaching a lot of good lessons. 3 of those on date will be baptized next week (hopefully) and they are doing well so far so I don't really have doubts. I'm also running out of time now to e-mail so I may have to make it short, But I'm gong to send some pics of our recent adventures.(don't put the I love Soweto one on the blog. You may not understand why but don't do it !) Send my love to everyone and please send some more addresses.
Love Elder Jones

From the Fam

Well another week has passed, maybe I had better say flew by. As I look back through it I wonder how I got to all the things I got to. After today I hope I can keep all those boys busy this summer it's been wild here and it was cold again so they were stuck in the house, moaning about why it wouldn't get warm. The young women did a car wash (freeze out) fundraiser. J moaned it was cold all day to her since she started it out wet and then did dog kennels and still had to stay wet. She scares the crap right out of me with her driving, I think I yelled 5 times to look before changing lanes or she would be dead. Once C screamed at her cause a car almost pulled out in front of her. That was a tricky thing they did making parents have to drive with their kids first instead of the Drivers Ed teachers. Jer and I went to the grow Dr. and he is making progress in height, it's slow but he is moving up not gaining pounds but moving up. They have the surgery scheduled again we will see how that progresses. Well the little kids pray for those you ask us too. Sometimes J and C struggling with the teen years and talking to the Lord so they don't include those who need help in their prayers sometimes. This morning Amber called K is in the hospital with very low oxygen and they can't tell why. They think she is having a sever anaphylaxis reaction to something she is allergic to. Remember when Jer did that bright red all over his little body, and Dad took off like crazy to the hospital, K was all red like that too and her eyes were white and her airway was shutting down. Now they have to just figure out what that something is. Amber said it is so hard for her when something like this happens, she has this shut down response that makes her stress out and almost not be able to function and then it clears so Pray for her and K.(This was not in the letter, it often is so hard when going through a struggle and all you want is normal whatever normal is to you. Often the package that you are handed is so hard but yet if you looked at someone elses package theirs would seem harder, be it handicapped, mental illness, physical damage whatever. This life gives us lessons now we just have to learn them even when it's more comfy to desire normal like I said whatever that is. Now back to the letter.) I am trying to get addresses. Kimberly Christhensen is marrying Cortney Christensens big brother. Today the stake counsel man speaker was Mr. Brady who served his mission in Joberg South Africa. I gave him our blog address and yours and then we were talking and I found out that Chas Hathaway who I mentioned to you was his second companion. Then to top off the day Chas did a special note on his blog that's all about you and our families blog and how we write ? back and forth on the being of a missionary. So kid your published now for sure. I want you to know that there is stuff that I do not put on the blog that is in our letters because its Private, please make sure I know if you do not want a name or story placed on the blog if the person or thing needs to stay private ok. Well I have now lost 35 pounds I have five more to get to my goal of 145 before summer hits and then the rest I will lose at the start of the school year if I haven't already done so by running. I am getting in shape to do a 5K with Aunt Bethany not sure which one maybe the Milk run for the 4th of July we will see though. I have a blog friend that has been trying to lose weight and also struggles with Bipolar recovery plus a baby who is very handicapped. It has been amazing to see the recovery that she writes about. Well I had better get to bed as I have to go to Z little graduation class from Kindergarten and then help Dad start a new field with the first time watering tomorrow. I love you I hope this week was great and Dad says I love you lots too son. Have fun reading his little mission clips he says your mission sounds way more exciting then mine ever was.
Love all of us.

Missions and Serving there are so many ways to serve the Lord when you live on this amazing earth.

So here is our families mini mission but really it was more of a vacation with serving. Mission to Warm Springs Nevada. We built stairs cleared brush out of a stream well C did that part with his cousin. We burned weeds that were in our camp area to clean it up for the summer. The whole Jones clan had a family reunion there, all of us doing the service work together along with swimming in the warm water and eating dutch oven Hawian Lual type foods YUM YUM> Not all of the 75 grandchildren of George H and Lela C. Jones were there but there is a fair showing of many in the photos along with each of just us from the A. J. Jones family. J & Z STAYING WARM UNDER THE WATER.
C WITH COUSIN MORGAN SPLASHING IT UP.
A.J.J THE DAD COOKING OUR MEAL WITH Mc. AND K WATCHING OVER THE PROCESS.
J and Morgan freezing together by the fire. The Dad and Mc roasting their hot dogs plus the fire was warm thank goodness.
Water playing after cleaning the camp areas.
The spot were we built stairs but it's not visible.
Me Jer and J being warm. Jer didn't like being in the water too much.
A.J.J throwing water toys to kids.
Jer and K playing on one of the many bridges that cross the warm springs through out the camp area.
There had to be a lifeguard on duty at all times, it looks like Jer is taking his turn doing the job.

Our Birthday Boy off in a far away land.

Happy Happy Birthday Son Your Amazing!

1. The fam just wants you to know that we love you lots and hope it was fun while in the far away land and did you get your birthday box?

1. Yep came the day after, great timing.

2. What new person have you met to teach the wonderful truth to.

3.Well We've met quite a few, but there is a girl named E who we just started teaching and she said she was skeptical about the book of Mormon at first, but what gave her the courage to let us in was that it said Jesus Christ on the front. She is awesome and says she knows now that the book of Mormon is good, but she still needs to find out what that means to her and then gain a testimony by coming to church. So far we've / I've been focusing on the three who are being prepared for baptism on the 30th I'll tell more after the questions.

4. If your thinking of a gift for me I would want fabric that is made by them with all their rich colors that they like so much.

4.I'll take that into consideration ;)

5. So do they sing in harmony more in the Soweto townships?

5.Well I don't really think it's much different, at church, from Ridgeway or even home. But on the streets you hear people singing really cool sometimes.

Well as I was saying about those being prepared for the 30th. I was really stressed for part of this week because Sunday I realized that one of them (K) hadn't come to church and he was required to come 12 times before he could be baptized because of his age, but that set him back at twelve. And then I was also worried because we had planned to resolve some Living together with a girl & boyfriend Issues with a girl named L, but she and her boyfriend were not there when we showed up. So I was stressing. But I prayed and hoped that we and they would still be able to make our goal of baptisms. After finally meeting up with K I found out that he had been terribly sick and that he still wanted to be baptized and is way stoked about becoming a member. Then we finally met up with L and after a short discussion found out that the person that she always called her boyfriend is her husband so she is married. WOW that was a relief!! I'm still and was so glad to hear that news. Every thing is going great here in Dobsonville and I'm loving the work. I finally get my companion tonight actually so this last week I've still been working with members, but now I have someone to plan with so I'm excited. It's been a good week and a good week of learning. We had zone conference again and learned alot about companionship unity and asking good questions in lessons. I'm hoping to apply this stuff in the coming transfer and through out the rest of my mission.

I recently received alot of e-mails from everyone and I want you all to know that I love you lots. Justin, Nana and Papa(happy b-day by the way), Jamahl, Jadie, Bethany, Amber and if there is anyone I forgot, I love you too. Thanks for supporting me and sending your love.

I'm so grateful to be here serving the lord and I can't tell you how much it's helped my testimony of how true the gospel is by living it and seeing it in others lives so much.

I love you family and I'm so grateful for the letter Dad, it means a lot to me and I hope to get some more

Love

Your son/friend/cousin/brother/nephew/Grandson

Elder T. Jones

Instead of our boring letter we are going to do a photo collage of the years leading up to being an adult for Tyrell all his crazy escapades caught in photo.

A Who in Seussical the Musical at South Sevier High School 2004
Tyrells first official baptism. His did the job for little brother K before leaving to serve the Lord in South Africa Aug. 2009
Hanging out with Little Bro C. on his right at cousin Justin's Eagle Court of Honer Tyrell is almost an Eagle at this time 2007. Yes he broke his wrist on a moter bike borrowed from the neighbor boy and he had'nt been told how to stop.
Tyrell with his Dad in 2006 as the character Lafou out of Beauty and the Beast shown at South Sevier High School. One of his Missionary photos done my his wonderful Aunt Amber.
Thanksgiving Dinner 2007 cousins playing games at the little table.
Playing Ryan on the High School Musical presented at South Sevier High 2007
Dinner after finally graduating High school. When you have three in two diffrent schools it takes all day to get through can you tell the three were starving.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v375/178/8/544191432/n544191432_1501282_8896.jpg 2004 Freshman year talent competition at South Sevier. He blew them out of the water with his fiddlen, know one knew he could do that. Click the link to see the young man when he reaches his oldest age transformation. This was taken at Snow College when he portrayed the character Bill in It Runs In The Family by Ray Cooney

Mothers Day Phone call from the African Mish!

The Phone Call!

We heard his voice but there was so much paper crumpling sounds on the line it was tough to know what he said. I am so glad we get letters as quickly as we do because otherwise I still might think he was transferred somewhere but not know where.

The funniest part was that his sister was just laying around waiting and almost ignored her/his old phone when someone sent a text that morning. She came screaming down the staircase yelling he is texting me, he is texting me. All the boys thought that she had lost it since she never is very verbal about who texts her (The Dad hates texting and could just throw it away), so after figuring out the who we asked if she had asked for a number to call him with. Of course she hadn't even responded to him. Finally we got a number only to call a fax machine somewhere over there in Africa. She sent back saying that it wasn't working so we tried a new number even if that voice was barley audible I did catch that it was the Mission home and to ask for what Elder. Finally a voice with a slight accent that was my son spoke. Heavenly it was way to short, hard to think of questions and the line hung up twice but at least I could hear him say I love you. So here is the weekly questions that we got answered the next day.

1. Please explain what you said about your calling card that was a part that was crackly and I do not know what was said about it.

1. Well the calling card I have was the one we bought at Walmart and it is an AT&T Card which doesn't work here because they don't have AT&T they have other stuff and they couldn't help me so yeah. And I didn't plan very well for the phone call because I couldn't find any members who have a land line so I just said I would call you guys after I figured it out. During the week I found out we could sms you guys and so when we were getting ready for the call I sms the info and had you call me.

2. Tell us is their a new name to the area you are in?

2.I'm still in my second area. It's called Dobsonville. It is in the county like thing called Soweto. So I haven't changed since I left Ridgeway. (As you can see we could not tell what he was saying about if he was in a new area.)

3. Did it mean that you had to move to a new apt when you changed areas?

3.When I left Ridgeway I changed flats

4.What are the names of the other companions in the flat with you. Are they the same Elders as before?

4.They are currently Elder Ramos and Elder Bullard. Elder Bakker should be coming sometime. Their all the same except Elder Bakker

( The one thing we did hear was that his new companion is stuck in Botswana with Visa problems and can not come out to be his companion so PRAY that the Lord will help to resolve that situation and then Tyrell can get a companion.)

5. Are you a Senior Companion now Dad is wondering or when you end up with a companion?

5.Nope, Elder Bakker is actually supposed to be our District Leader

6. Some of those kids have clothing on that look like sweaters is it cool there and are you wishing you had a sweater to go under your suit coat?

6.Yeah it actually gets pretty Chilly around here in Jo'burg. and I would love to have a sweater vest or something.

7.What do you do on Pday give as a schedule the kids say.

7.Well the Average P-day Consists of Waking up and 5:30 To go play Soccer as our physical Activity time. Then we Return to the flat at 6:45 and we prepare for the day until 8:00 When we begin our personal study and at 9:00 start companionship study. Then at 10:00 we clean the flat for however long it takes and then we go to do E-mail. After e-mail we decide(if we haven't previously) what we want to do. Usually it's sports or going to some cool attraction or something. then we shop and go back to the flat to get ready to go to appointments by 6:00. It kinda changes from week to week but that's the usual.

8. They must not celebrate Mothers day there, right?

8.Yeah they do

9.So Elder Forman is now in Botswana, Do you think you will ever get to go there?

9.Yes he is in Bots, Myself I have know idea

10. Who was answering the phone when we would call. Is that the Pres. wife?

10.That was Sister Henrichsen

11. Did you go to long over your time for the call sorry it kept hanging us up and was so hard to hear.

11.No I didn't go over my time and I was kind of upset because they made me get off and I had hardly been able to talk to anybody. I should probably stop having that attitude because some Elders couldn't even get a hold of their families.

12.Tell us what you said in your improptune talk yesterday.

12.Well I ended up talking about the Importance of having the spirit with us to protect us both physically and Spiritually. I actually used your car story mom. It worked out really well. I was kinda surprised with myself.

3.Do you spend lots of time at the Mission home?

13.Nope I hardly ever go to the mission home, but we do go to the mission office a lot on p-day's and when we need stuff. It's kinda weird because the Mission Office and the Mtc are the same building. so every time you go there you see the Mtc Elders.

14. Do you use the Salvation flip cards that we sent you at Christmas time?

14.Yeah I've used them a couple of times but I haven't used them too much recently.

15. Do you have a pan to cook a cake in?

15 I'm not actually sure about that, but I think we have a pan.

16. Do you save the Mission newsletters that you get or would you like me to print them out for you?

16.I'm not sure what you mean by mission newsletter Maybe you could explain more.

Well it was nice to hear from everybody in the short time that I did and I'm sorry that I kinda seemed like I cut it short and didn't really say goodbye properly.
I think the most that has happened this week all happened from wed on. From then I haven't really had a companion so I've been in a threesome for now and working with members of the ward when we go to the areas. It's been kinda fun planning by myself...NOT but I've definitely been learning a lot about myself and what I need to improve, from this experience. Sunday was exciting because I was the only one in the ward with a Name Tag so I was the only one people could come to for referrals and appointments and other things so it was kinda crazy but I'm enjoying my mission and I'm glad I'm here in South Africa so I can't really think of much else to say so maybe next week I'll have more.

Love Elder T Jones

P.s. HAPPY MOTHERS DAY MOM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LmrhUEaQpE&feature=fvw Click to hear some music from South Africa!

PRAYER

I am a firm believer in prayer. I know that when I am consistent in talking to my Father in Heaven he will help me to know and see things that are needed to make my life better . He will answer my call if I will keep talking to him. He is even better then the cell phone that I carry on me. His answers might not look like the emails I get with direct instructions or information about whats happening but he sure can make my heart feel full and guide me to what is best for a child of mine who is struggling or a friend who needs help from an earthly hand.

Remember to say your prayers morning and night so he can talk with you because your the one with the key that unlocks that door to him every time you communicate.

Think of speaking with him as if it's the most imp0rtant cell phone call you make twice a day!

What Soweto Africa looks like.

Missionaries on a soap box!

Our weekly questions?
1. Package arrived yet?
2. Do you have an ability to listen to something on a CD player?
3. Dad said hey Tyrell could have joined the Sanguma families drumming, did you?
4. As of right now interest is so poor on anything do you have any ideas of what you would want done with your money?
5. Can you believe it has been a year since you received your call Wow.
6. Have you bought contact solution there?
7. What about hairspray or shampoos have you bought them?
8.Have you seen any army ants Dad wants to know.
9.What is your favorite scripture now or is it still the same on your plaque.
10. Tell us some of the words you have now learned that are more African, please tell us the meanings to?
11. Can you buy 2010 Soccer cup jerseys the boys think that would be so cool unless they cost a small fortune?
12. Will you send a big box of things when you send? But will you please warn my checkbook first.
13. Are you writing tons in your journal. After seeing Chas Hatheways blog it makes me wonder at all you are seeing and hope that you write often so you do not forget the stuff. Maybe you will write movies one day about all you see.
14. Are you learning any of their crazy dances in that township like Gumboots dance?
15. Tell us the calling number please.

A guy selling clown stuff.
A kid blowing in the Vuvuzela (not spelled right)
Township kids with homemade toy.
Contacting

Classic Township Yard with kids playing Soccer.

Tyrells short letter but lots of photos and some answers.

1.no
2.Our car has a CD player sometimes
3. no we stayed away while that was going on it would have given us a bad image
4. I didn't have any specific ideas, but I was just thinking you could keep it in a locked High interest account until I get back. that way I don't spend it and it grows while I'm here.
5.Yeah I know it's crazy, I read it on the April 29Th.
6.No I still have plenty of contact solution.
7.yeah i can get that stuff here. it's all good.
8.I'm not sure what you mean, But there are some really big ants that run around everywhere and don't seem to care much about anything going on around them. I'll try to send some pics.
9.I'd have to say I have alot of favorite scriptures now, but the one I really like as a missionary is Alma 26:15
10.Well i will try, but I'm not sure on the spellings. Rapellang (pray) Ke Mang (who) Ke Nako Mang (what is the time?) Nkulukulu (God) I will think of some more and try to learn some more to. Ask me on the phone call.
11. Yeah I already have one. I'll see what I can do to get some more.
12.Yeah I'm trying to collect some specific items, but the wallet and the situation is making it hard.
13.Yeah I was writing everyday, but I kinda fell out of the habit so it's been like once a week entries. You can also save my e-mails too please they are pretty good entries.
14.I don't know gumboots but there is some other stuff I have learned a little of. But it's more modern stuff.
15.I will Call you. Just be there when I call!

Because of time, I will fill you in on Sunday.
There has been a lack of planning on my part and some unexpected changes due to transfers coming up Thursday. So the The plan for the phone call is that I will be calling you at about 8:00AM (your time) it could be even an hour or so before or after that, but expect it to be then. I hope that it works out with the plans that you have made because there's not much more I can do to inform you after today.
Love Elder T Jones

Lions n Tigers n Birds OH MY!